FMI survey: Millennials in construction get a bad rap, tend to be loyal, hard-working

FMI, a banking and management consultant for the engineering and construction industry, released its latest report, “Millennials in Construction — Learning to Engage a New Workforce.”

FMI determined that Millennials get a bad rap. The younger generation, according to the firm, is loyal to their companies and share similar career aspirations, attitudes, and goals with the older groups.

“While the stigma exists that Millennials are entitled, disloyal, and lazy, it appears that this is not true,” Sabine Hoover, Content Director at FMI, said in a statement.

The survey found that a well-communicated vision, competitive pay, and work-life balance are a few of the most important factors in keeping individuals engaged with their work. Also, a vast majority (96%) of respondents said they were willing to work beyond job requirements to help the business succeed, and 74% said that they expect to remain with their company for more than five years. In addition, Millennials bring new perspectives and ideas to a construction firm.

The report was based on surveys and interviews with 400 workers in the construction industry across the nation. Half of those surveyed were Millennials.

Shortly before Mental Health Awareness Month in May, development and construction firm Skanska announced the topping out of California’s first behavioral health facility—and the largest in the nation—to target net zero energy. Located in Redwood City, San Mateo County, Calif., the 77,610-sf Cordilleras Health System Replacement Project is slated for completion in late 2024.

Government Buildings | May 18, 2023

GSA launches first biennial construction award program

Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the new biennial GSA Construction Award program, which is seeking submissions this summer. The program was created to honor outstanding achievements in construction, with a focus on quality and craftsmanship, collaboration and team dynamics, sustainability, innovation, and technology. The first Construction Awards ceremony will take place in 2024.

Affordable Housing | May 17, 2023

Affordable housing advocates push for community-owned homes over investment properties

Panelists participating in a recent webinar hosted by the Urban Institute discussed various actions that could help alleviate the nation’s affordable housing crisis. Among the possible remedies: inclusionary zoning policies, various reforms to increase local affordable housing stock, and fees on new development to offset the impact on public infrastructure.

University Buildings | May 17, 2023

New UC Irvine health sciences building supports aim to become national model for integrative health

The new College of Health Sciences Building and Nursing & Health Sciences Hall at the University of California Irvine supports the institution’s goal of becoming a national model for integrative health. The new 211,660-sf facility houses nursing, medical doctorate, pharmacy, philosophy, and public health programs in a single building.

More than the sum of its parts, the building enclosure is a collection of integrated assemblies that work in concert to shield the interior from the elements.

4 steps to a better building enclosure

Dividing the outside environment from the interior, the building enclosure is one of the most important parts of the structure. The enclosure not only defines the building’s aesthetic, but also protects occupants from the elements and facilitates a comfortable, controlled climate. With dozens of components comprising the exterior assemblies, from foundation to cladding to roof, figuring out which concerns to address first can be daunting.

Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2023

Legislators aim to make office-to-housing conversions easier

Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.cSuch projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.

Headquarters | May 16, 2023

Workplace HQ for party clothing company Shinesty celebrates its bold, whimsical products

The new Denver headquarters for Shinesty, a party clothing company, was designed to match the brand’s fun image with an iconic array of colors, textures, and prints curated by the design agency, Maximalist. Shinesty’s mission, to challenge the world to live more freely and “take itself less seriously,” is embodied throughout the office interior.

Sixteen-story office tower will use 80% less energy than an average NYC office building

Office Buildings | May 15, 2023

Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building

This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.

K-12 Schools | May 12, 2023

In Virginia, a new high school building helps reimagine the experience for 1,600 students

In Virginia, the City of Alexandria recently celebrated the topping out of a new building for Alexandria City High School. When complete in 2025, the high-performance structure will accommodate 1,600 students.